CLEVELAND — Righty Lucas Giolito struggled to throw strikes in his final rehab start before joining the Red Sox starting rotation.
The 30-year-old walked six batters and landed just 47 of his 85 pitches (55.3%) for strikes. He allowed three runs and three hits (double, triple, single) while striking out four in 4 ⅔ innings for Triple-A Worcester against Syracuse.
Manager Alex Cora said before Boston’s rainout Friday in Cleveland that Giolito “should be with us in Toronto.” The Red Sox will play Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in Toronto and Giolito is expected to start Thursday.
He threw 30 four-seam fastballs Friday, averaging 92.4 mph and topping out at 94.8 mph. He also mixed in 32 changeups, 20 sliders and three curveballs. He induced eight swings and misses: three each with his changeup and slider and two with his four-seamer.
The veteran right-hander has 13 walks in 17 ⅓ innings over five rehab starts.
Giolito signed a two-year, $38.5 million contract with the Red Sox in December 2023. But he has yet to pitch in a game for them. He missed the 2024 season after he underwent an internal brace procedure to repair the damaged elbow in spring training. He then began this season on the IL with a left hamstring strain that he suffered during his first spring training start.
Connor Wong update
Catcher Connor Wong (pinky fracture) worked out at Worcester on Friday. He could begin a rehab assignment for the WooSox on Sunday.
“Yesterday was a better day than Wednesday,” Cora said. “So he’s in a good spot. Get the reports in a little bit on how the workout went and if everything is OK, he’ll play Sunday.”
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